COVID-19: Balochistan bans public from offering Friday prayers in mosques

QUETTA: The government has banned public from offering Friday prayers in mosques till April 4 in Balochistan in an effort to cope the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In the wake of precautionary steps to curb the spread of the pandemic in the province the provincial home department had also issued advisory notification.

The notification was issued under epidemic diseases control article 1958 after negotiations with religious figures and keeping in view the prevailing situation.

The notification stated only five people will be allowed to offer Friday prayers in a masque, adding that all mosques will remain open but citizens will have to offer the prayer in their homes. 

The health authorities of the Balochistan government had confirmed 131 coronavirus cases in the province whereas the provincial authorities had announced lockdown till April 7.Earlier, the provincial Home and Tribal Affairs Department issued a notification stated Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code has been imposed.

The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumped to 1,202 on Friday after more cases were reported from Gilgit Baltistan, Lahore Sindh and Islamabad.

READ MORE: Coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumps to 1,202